How to Appreciate Java's Culture

Java is the island capital of Indonesia, and despite current economic and political difficulties, its culture is incredibly rich.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• CD Players
• VCR Tapes
• VCRs
• CDs
• Airline Tickets To Indonesia

1. Learn about how Indonesia's culture is faring as the country is industrialized in Umar Kayam's book, "The Soul of Indonesia: A Cultural Journey."

2. Sift through "Black Clouds Over the Isle of the Gods and Other Modern Indonesian Short Stories," translated by David M. E. Roskies.

3. Lose yourself in the legends of Indonesia by reading "The Magic Crocodile and Other Folktales From Indonesia," written by Alice M. Terada and illustrated by Charlene K. Smoyer.

4. Sift through Derek Bacon's "Culture Shock! Jakarta at Your Door" if you plan to spend any time in this big, noisy city. This book could save your life, or at least your dignity.

5. Rent Peter Weir's political drama, "The Year of Living Dangerously," starring Mel Gibson as a journalist in Jakarta during the overthrow of the Indonesian government in 1965.

6. Enjoy the peaceful strains of degung music, from west Java, on the highly recommended album, "The Sound of Sunda - Degung Music From Java," by Euis Komariah.

7. Groove to recordings made in the late 1970s on the excellent album, "Street Music of Java."

8. Daydream while listening to the enchanting sounds of "Javanese Court Gamelan," available from Nonesuch Records.

Tips & Warnings

• Look in your public library to see whether there's a video of a gamelan performance; the JVC Library of World Music is one collection owned by many libraries.
• Due to civil unrest, check up on the latest advisories before planning a trip anywhere in Indonesia.

on 11/22/2005 The Ramayana story is performed in the town of Prambanan, near Yogyakarta, every full moon, during the dry season, with the majestic Prambanan Hindu temple as background. The costumes are magnificent, the dances beautiful, the gamelan music enchanting.

In Yogyakarta you can buy souvenirs along Malioboro Street. You can also visit the Sultan's palace. The Water Castle was designed by a Portuguese architect, they say, so it is a blend of "east and west".

Java is also famous for its Batik (textile). The handmade ones can run into millions of rupiah, but printed batik is very affordable.